Ethiopia’s Quest for Access to Sea Focuses on Shared Dev't, Regional Integration: Officials

Addis Ababa, July 25, 2025 (ENA) -- The peaceful ambition of Ethiopia for access to the sea has focused on shared development and regional integration based on the principle of give and take, Ethiopian officials said.

Recall that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during budget approval for 2018 Ethiopian Fiscal Year told members of the parliament that Ethiopia is interested to foster peace and development cooperation with neighboring countries.

He also pointed out that neighboring countries should respond positively to Ethiopia's quest for sea outlet.

Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee Member of the House of Peoples’ Representatives, Ambassador Dina Mufti told ENA that the issue of access to the sea for Ethiopia is directly related with the national interests of the country.

Getting access to the sea is crucial for Ethiopia as it is a nation with a large number of population and rapidly growing economy, Ambassador Dina pointed out.

Following the economic growth of the country, export and import trade of the nation has increased significantly, he stated, emphasizing Ethiopia’s ambition for securing sea access is a matter of national interests.

Accordingly, Ethiopia is diligently working to secure sea outlet in a peaceful and reciprocal manner based on the principle of shared growth and development, Ambassador Dina noted.

The quest of Ethiopia for access to sea is now gaining acceptance by the international community, Ambassador Dina underscored.

The national agenda of access to the sea outlet to maintain the national interests of the country will continue to be strengthened, he stressed.

On his part, Institute of Foreign Affairs, Executive Director, Jafar Bedru said that access to the sea is a crucial and existential issue for Ethiopia.

 

The executive director underlined that Ethiopia's desire for access to the sea is based on the principle of shared interest and common development aspirations, not to harm others.

The institute is working to formulate strategies and policy directions by making the issue of access to the sea a central agenda in research and development, he added.

Recalling that international and regional forums were convened to promote the country’s desire for regional integration, the executive director stressed that such initiative will be further strengthened.